Exercise resistance apparatus

Abstract

A vertical stack of weights is disposed beneath a base member, and at least one selector rod is mounted on the base member and selectively engaged with a desired number of the vertically stacked weights. A horizontal stack of weights is disposed on opposite sides of a base member, and at least one selector rod is movably mounted on the base member selectively moved into engagement with the desired number of horizontally stacked weights. Various combinations of these arrangements may be used to provide adjustable resistance to exercise.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An exercise apparatus, comprising:
 a first plurality of weights arranged in a first array; 
 a second plurality of weights arranged in a second array, wherein each said array occupies a discrete vertical column of space; 
 a lifting member occupying a start position relative to each said array; 
 a first weight support mounted on the lifting member and selectively connected to at least one of the weights in the first array, wherein the first weight support includes a vertically extending weight supporting rod; 
 a second weight support mounted on the lifting member and selectively connected to at least one of the weights in the second array, wherein the second weight support includes a horizontally extending weight supporting rod; and 
 a knob rotatably mounted on the lifting member, wherein rotation of the knob is linked to movement of the horizontally extending weight supporting rod into and out of engagement with the weights in the second array, and movement of the knob in a first direction moves the horizontally extending weight supporting rod into underlying engagement of one of the weights in the second array. 
 
     
     
       2. The exercise apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a frame configured to rest on a horizontal floor surface, wherein the first array defines a vertical weight stack that is movably mounted on the frame. 
     
     
       3. The exercise apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein each of the weights in the second array has a respective height that is measured perpendicular to the horizontal floor surface, a respective thickness that is measured parallel to the horizontally extending support rod, and a respective width that is measured perpendicular to both a respective said thickness and a respective said height, and each said thickness is less than both a respective said height and a respective said width, and each said thickness is measured in a direction that extends through the column of space defined by the weights in the first array. 
     
     
       4. The exercise apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a frame configured to rest on a horizontal floor surface, wherein each said array is movably mounted on the frame for movement along a predetermined path relative to the frame. 
     
     
       5. The exercise apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a frame configured to rest on a horizontal floor surface, wherein the lifting member is movably mounted on the frame for movement along a predetermined path relative to the frame. 
     
     
       6. The exercise apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein a portion of each of the weights in the second array is intersected by a horizontal plane extending parallel to the floor surface when the frame occupies an operative orientation on the floor surface. 
     
     
       7. The exercise apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the weights in the first array define a vertical stack when the frame occupies an operative orientation on the floor surface. 
     
     
       8. The exercise apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the knob rotates about an axis that extends perpendicular to the horizontally extending weight supporting rod. 
     
     
       9. The exercise apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein movement of the knob in an opposite, second direction moves the horizontally extending weight supporting rod out of underlying engagement said one of the weights in the second array. 
     
     
       10. The exercise apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the horizontally extending weight supporting rod moves horizontally relative to the lifting member along a path that coincides with a longitudinal axis defined by the horizontally extending weight support rod. 
     
     
       11. The exercise apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein a pin is selectively inserted beneath at least a portion of said at least one of the weights in the first array and into a hole in the vertically extending weight supporting rod to selectively connect the first weight support to said at least one of the weights in the first array. 
     
     
       12. The exercise apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the horizontally extending weight supporting rod extends linearly between a first portion that selectively engages at least one of the weights in the second array, and a second portion that engages the knob. 
     
     
       13. An exercise apparatus, comprising:
 a first plurality of weights arranged in a first array; 
 a second plurality of weights arranged in a second array, wherein each said array occupies a discrete vertical column of space; 
 a lifting member occupying a start position relative to each said array; 
 a first weight support mounted on the lifting member and selectively connected to at least one of the weights in the first array, wherein the first weight support includes a vertically extending weight supporting rod; and 
 a second weight support mounted on the lifting member and selectively connected to at least one of the weights in the second array, wherein the second weight support includes a horizontally extending weight supporting rod; and 
 a knob rotatably mounted on the lifting member, wherein rotation of the knob is linked to movement of the horizontally extending weight supporting rod into and out of engagement with the weights in the second array, wherein relatively more of the weights in the second array are operatively connected to the horizontally extending weight supporting rod in response to rotation of the knob in a first direction, and relatively fewer of the weights in the second array are operatively connected to the horizontally extending weight supporting rod in response to rotation of the knob in an opposite, second direction. 
 
     
     
       14. The exercise apparatus of  claim 13 , further comprising a frame configured to occupy a stable operative orientation on a horizontal floor surface, wherein the frame includes a first guide that defines a predetermined path of travel for the first array, and the frame includes a separate, second guide that defines a predetermined path of travel for the second array. 
     
     
       15. The exercise apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein the first guide includes at least one elongate member extending through the weights in the first array, and the second guide includes at least one elongate member extending between opposing sidewalls on adjacent weights in the second array. 
     
     
       16. The exercise apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein the second guide is configured and arranged to support the weights in the second array in respective rest positions disposed above a lowermost one of the weights in the first array when the frame occupies said operative orientation. 
     
     
       17. An exercise apparatus, comprising:
 a first plurality of weights arranged in a first array; 
 a second plurality of weights arranged in a second array, wherein each said array occupies a discrete vertical column of space; 
 a lifting member occupying a start position relative to each said array; 
 a first weight support mounted on the lifting member and selectively connected to at least one of the weights in the first array, wherein the first weight support includes a vertically extending weight supporting rod; 
 a second weight support mounted on the lifting member and selectively connected to at least one of the weights in the second array, wherein the second weight support includes a horizontally extending weight supporting rod that moves horizontally relative to the lifting member along a path that coincides with a longitudinal axis defined by the horizontally extending weight support rod; and 
 a spring configured and arranged to bias the horizontally extending weight supporting rod to move in a first direction along the path, and to resist movement of the horizontally extending weight supporting rod in an opposite, second direction along the path, wherein the spring is a helical coil spring compressed between the lifting member and a tab secured to the horizontally extending weight supporting rod. 
 
     
     
       18. The exercise apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein each of the weights in the second array defines a respective upwardly bounded opening, and the horizontally extending weight supporting rod is selectively movable into each said upwardly bounded opening. 
     
     
       19. The exercise apparatus of  claim 18 , wherein one said opening is laterally adjacent another said opening. 
     
     
       20. The exercise apparatus of  claim 18 , further comprising a frame configured to rest on a horizontal floor surface, wherein the lifting member is movably mounted on the frame for movement along a predetermined path defined by the frame. 
     
     
       21. The exercise apparatus of  claim 20 , wherein one said opening and another said opening are disposed at a common elevation above the floor surface when the frame occupies an operative orientation on the floor surface. 
     
     
       22. The exercise apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein the lifting member includes a top plate disposed on top of the first array, and a bracket rigidly secured to the top plate and projecting upward from the top plate. 
     
     
       23. An exercise apparatus, comprising:
 a frame configured to rest on a horizontal floor surface; 
 a top plate movably mounted on the frame; 
 a first plurality of weights arranged in a vertical array beneath the top plate; 
 a second plurality of weights arranged in a second array, wherein each said array occupies a discrete vertical column of space; 
 a first weight support mounted on the top plate and selectively connected to at least one of the weights in the vertical array; and 
 a second weight support mounted on the top plate and selectively connected to at least one of the weights in the second array, wherein the second weight support is movable horizontally into and out of respective holes associated with each of the weights in the second array, and a spring biases the second weight support to move in a first horizontal direction, and resists movement of the second weight support in an opposite, second horizontal direction. 
 
     
     
       24. The exercise apparatus of  claim 23 , wherein at least two of said holes are disposed at a common elevation above the floor surface when the frame occupies an operative orientation on the floor surface. 
     
     
       25. An exercise apparatus, comprising:
 a frame configured to rest on a horizontal floor surface; 
 a top plate movably mounted on the frame; 
 a first plurality of weights arranged in a vertical array beneath the top plate; 
 a second plurality of weights arranged in a second array, wherein each said array occupies a discrete vertical column of space; 
 a first weight support mounted on the top plate and selectively connected to at least one of the weights in the vertical array; and 
 a second weight support mounted on the top plate and selectively connected to at least one of the weights in the second array, wherein the second weight support is movable horizontally into and out of respective holes associated with each of the weights in the second array, wherein a knob is movably mounted on the lifting member, and rotation of the knob is required to adjust how many of the weights in the second array are selectively connected to the second weight support. 
 
     
     
       26. The exercise apparatus of  claim 25 , wherein at least two of said holes are disposed at a common elevation above the floor surface when the frame occupies an operative orientation on the floor surface.